Results 4,161-4,180 of 26,225 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: You most definitely are.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Properties (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Which was welcome.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence the reason the Naval Service Reserve underwent such a drastic drop of 76% in seagoing days between 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34866/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This relates to the Naval Service Reserve and the question of their seagoing days. In a recent parliamentary question it emerged that the reserve was at sea for 576 days in 2013, but this fell by 76% to 130 days in 2014 and a mere 58 days this year. It is strange to have a naval reserve that is not at sea. That is from a Kildare landlubber to a Cork seafarer.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: One thing on which everybody in this House would agree in light of international events is a greater need for coastal vigilance than at any stage in the past. In addition to the ships to which the Minister made reference, I understand the naval reserve had access to and use four motor launches, three of which have been in dock at the naval base and awaiting repair since last year. I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I do not think there is the same level of confidence within the reserve itself in the commitment of the Department. The Minister has constantly spoken positively about the reserve. What I have read in the White Paper about the reserve is positive, but people on the ground are telling me that this is not what they are experiencing. Every reasonable person in this House would say the work...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Naval Service Strength (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am not talking about it. Others are.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 7. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the Army Reserve. [34447/15]

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This question allows the Minister to expand on some of the views and policies he set out in the White Paper on the Army Reserve. He has indicated that he is embarking on a programme of recruitment but there is real concern about the declining membership and the declining level of participation and we would like to hear his plans.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: As we know, the RDF is a committed volunteer force that gives of its time in the service of the State and the vast proportion of that time is unpaid. We can look at international best practice and see that countries with a small military capability tend to have a very large part-time reserve to call on. That, unfortunately, is not the situation here. When I read the White Paper, I thought...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I accept the Minister's bona fide on this issue but the difficulty rests within the operational capacity of both groups, the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force. We have created a single force but there is not the type of happy relationship between the two groups that would be necessary and conducive to achieving the development to which the Minister has referred. One of...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Instruction to Committee (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I thank the Minister. I have no particular difficulty with this change. The Minister has not given us any great understanding of the need to achieve this or what significant difference it will make whether we call it the Irish Film Board, Screen Ireland or Fís Éireann. In fact, I wonder about the translation, "Fís Éireann". I do not know whether that is the most...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I move amendment No. 2:In page 5, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following:“ “national venue” means the area occupied by the National Concert Hall at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin and such additional or alternative venues as the National Concert Hall, with the agreement of the Minister, may determine from time to time;”. The Minister and I engaged on this issue...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I have no problem with that. It makes sense. I would like the Minister to clarify one aspect of this matter for the record. I accept that the National Concert Hall can arrange performances around the country. That goes without saying. Can we take it from what the Minister is saying that this Bill will allow the National Concert Hall to acquire a venue somewhere else in the country and...

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister is still not answering my essential question. I agree with what she is saying. Does the legislation as currently drafted preclude the National Concert Hall-----

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: -----from acquiring and operating on an ongoing basis a venue somewhere else in the country?

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Okay.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Good.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Well done.

National Cultural Institutions (National Concert Hall) Bill 2015: Report and Final Stages (8 Oct 2015)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I move amendment No. 3:In page 7, line 10, after "time" where it secondly occurs to insert "and subject to section 16". The basis for these amendments is that it is normal and good practice in all democracies for strategic statements to be prepared by public bodies and submitted to the relevant Ministers for consideration and approval. The reasons for this approach are obvious: it enables...